“This Is Just the Beginning” – Governor Allan Bird Warns After Facebook Ban in PNG

East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has raised serious concerns about the broad powers granted under Papua New Guinea’s Counter-Terrorism Act 2024, warning that it could be used against innocent people.

His statement follows reports that Facebook was inaccessible across the country on Monday, an action that Police Minister Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jnr later described as a test of new regulatory technology.

Governor Bird recalled that during parliamentary debates on the bill, he had cautioned against its wide scope, arguing that it effectively left the definition of a terrorist in the hands of the Police Minister.

“Government MPs laughed at me. They then used their numbers to pass the Bill,” he stated.

Following Monday’s social media blackout, Bird warned that the Police Minister’s use of the law to restrict online platforms was just the beginning.

“That was just a test, that was step one,” he said, emphasizing that there were no limits to the Minister’s powers under the law.

Describing it as a “draconian law designed to take away our freedoms,” Governor Bird warned that PNG was heading into dangerous territory.

“Everyone is powerless to stop this tyranny,” he cautioned, calling for urgent national dialogue on the issue.